"Here are the keys, see you when you get back"

"CB" (jrcb) 01/23/2020 at 13:55 • Filed to: unnecessary car shopping without E90M3

10

36

Verdict: it’s very good. Seats are comfy, it’s powerful enough to kick out the rear when turning in snow (on all seasons, of course), the sound system is passable, I’m sold.

Loads of room in the back.

I thought the seating material would be weird, nope, I like it.

Drove it through an abandoned barely plowed part of town, it handled it like a champ.

So yeah, once the money is good, I'm buying. And the salesperson asked if I had seen any of the overlanding setups. 10/10.

ShrimpHappens, née WJalopy > CB 01/23/2020 at 14:03

0

Is that the Onyx XT?

CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever > CB 01/23/2020 at 14:04

3

DO IT TODAY

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > CB 01/23/2020 at 14:06

3

For their bulk the Outback drives surprisingly well.

shop-teacher > CB 01/23/2020 at 14:08

0

I wish that’s how it went when I test drove a Forester XT.  

E90M3 > CB 01/23/2020 at 14:09

11

That’s pretty much how you sell a car, let it sell itself. 

CB > ShrimpHappens, née WJalopy 01/23/2020 at 14:10

0

For the Americans, yes.

CB > E90M3 01/23/2020 at 14:10

2

It was great!

functionoverfashion > CB 01/23/2020 at 14:11

0

What’s the last year they made a manual Outback ....? Oh wait it’s probably different in Canada anyway. Whatever. I like it anyway, I’m just really missing a manual daily right now, but it would be hard to give up the space of the Volvo. I think even the Outback doesn’t have the same flat floor space behind the rear seats, but it’s not small anyway. 

TheTurbochargedSquirrel > CB 01/23/2020 at 14:23

0

Onyx XT or whatever the Canadians call it?

My dad is still waiting on the dealer near us to get a Legacy XT for him to try. Mostly curiosity than intent to purchase. The dealer has gotten a bunch of standard Legacies but the one XT they got was sold before it was delivered.

someassemblyrequired > CB 01/23/2020 at 14:25

1

Fokker F.28s!!  Those things are awesome looking but they were noisy AF.

CB > functionoverfashion 01/23/2020 at 14:28

1

2017 for Canada. I'd have bought it today if it was a manual. 

CB > TheTurbochargedSquirrel 01/23/2020 at 14:28

1

Outdoor XT, but yes.

CB > shop-teacher 01/23/2020 at 14:28

0

It's a shame Subaru has a terrible test drive reputation.

AestheticsInMotion > CB 01/23/2020 at 14:34

1

This seems like the perfect car for your needs. Take it to the PNW sometime so I can oogle it

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > functionoverfashion 01/23/2020 at 14:35

0

The floor is higher because of the placement of the rear Diff and spare tire under the floor mat. There is still considerable cargo room and a very generous rear seat.

shop-teacher > CB 01/23/2020 at 14:39

1

The saleseman rode with us, and even though I was specifically interested in the turbo model with more power, he only let me tool around a 25mph neighborhood. Then we got back, and he just said something to the effect of, “All right, lets go start the paperwork.”

We just left.

LimitedTimeOnly @ opposite-lock.com > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever 01/23/2020 at 14:56

2

I have done a fast turn off of an off-ramp at almost similar speed to what I do in the GTI, and then realized what I was doing when I heard the tires squealing, but the 2020 Outback  handled it well. I t gets so much closer to the GTI than the SUV alternatives that I considered - it can be fun to hustle around.

jminer > CB 01/23/2020 at 15:30

1

That looks good!

I love when a test drive goes like that. “Let me make a copy of you license and get your cell # - do you know the area?” then hands me keys and walks away.

If they ride with me in the car and hover I don’t buy it from them.

fintail > CB 01/23/2020 at 16:28

5

Now you just need questionable facial hair, a clingy significant other, and a doggo, and you’re all set to meet the demographic standards.

Bonus points for ski rack on year round when you don’t ski, and political/hobbyist badges or stickers.

CB > fintail 01/23/2020 at 16:31

4

A) any facial hair I have is questionable

2) we’ll see how speed dating last night panned out

iii) someday.

I also live in a province with no hills and am contractually obliged to not show support for any political party, so maybe this isn't the car for me!

fintail > CB 01/23/2020 at 16:34

2

I think it’s still a match, you nailed the first three . All you need is a “honk if you love square dancing” sticker or similar, and you’re set.

Also bonus points for something environment related, but overlooking that the driver has a 50 mile commute and heats a 4000 sq ft house.

CB > fintail 01/23/2020 at 16:35

3

We two step out here, thank you.

Tripper > fintail 01/23/2020 at 16:38

4

We’ve got a Forester AND and Alltrack, I’ve even got glasses and a plaid lumberjack jacket. We’ve got two dogs!  

However, I don’t have facial hair because it makes me look questionable, snowboards go in the back and no stickers allowed in my driveway.

Tripper > CB 01/23/2020 at 16:40

0

I can’t believe I have to ask this but is that Forester or an Outback? Outback right?

The only negative thing I can say about our forester is that it isn’t fast or nimble. It’s still “fun” fits a ton of stuff, gets good MPG, was cheap, is cheap to maintain etc...

camarov6rs > CB 01/23/2020 at 16:47

0

When you settle for mediocrity thats all they build...

I’d consider the Onyx one, which is what you have there right?

DasWauto > CB 01/23/2020 at 16:49

1

I liked the seat material in the O utdoor as well, it really helps to have something other than black in the cabin to break up the drab. I sat in a Limited or Premiere (whichever is the top trim) when I got the oil changed in the WRX and those seats had extending thigh supports, like my BMW has, which are wonderful for er gonomics. The top trim also gets this lovely tan coloured leather.

I still want a Forester XT or Crosstrek XT to happen though;  I prefer something with a smaller footprint.

fintail > Tripper 01/23/2020 at 16:57

2

I’ll give you 3/4 credit for the outfit and dogs.  Keeping the image alive in your own way.

Manwich - now Keto-Friendly > CB 01/23/2020 at 18:02

1

“Drove it through an abandoned barely plowed part of town, it handled it like a champ.”

Where’s the part where you stripped it to the chassis and sold the parts?

I wanted to hear the story about how you stripped it and sold the parts!

/jk

CB > Tripper 01/23/2020 at 18:34

0

Outback.

The XT is fast, and getting it squirrely in the snow is a lot of fun.

CB > camarov6rs 01/23/2020 at 18:35

0

Yep, it’s the Outdoor in Canada. I really was impressed.

functionoverfashion > CB 01/23/2020 at 21:21

1

ooh 17. “Substantially similar?” That would make my day. 

functionoverfashion > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever 01/23/2020 at 21:23

0

I think it’s just hard to beat a good ol’ squared off box for cargo space. The Volvo is about as big as you can get these days (well, up to the last of my generation... 2015 I think) without going to an SUV of some kind. The Outback comes close though. 

CB > functionoverfashion 01/23/2020 at 21:29

0

You could definitely swing it. I saw a 2015 for sale with a manual a few months ago. I wanted it.

camarov6rs > CB 01/23/2020 at 21:41

0

I still am enamored by the styling of the Tourx and I believe it would be better for me in this segment. I would instantly look at the outback if I planned on doing any camping or dirt/gravel road driving

MiniGTI - now with XJ6 > CB 01/23/2020 at 22:39

0

Nice I’m glad you liked it. Those Outbacks certainly are nice. Excellent back seat too.

I really enjoyed the V60 in the little snow we had here last week. Unstoppable traction and it allows a Surprising amount of sideways driving, especially considering it’s really a FWD car that can turn on the rear when the computer feels like it.

functionoverfashion > CB 01/24/2020 at 09:18

0

Looks like 14 was the last year for the US. With the new ‘15 design they dropped it ... but I like the looks of the 15+ much better...

A quick google search brought me to some forums where people thought  it was possible, but there were no stories of success (or failure). Hmm.